Parking at a premium downtown, city pays $300K to help Rawhide, businesses

This lot across Giddings Street from Recreation Park may be sold back to the city. The vacant property is expected to be improved to increase parking for the Rawhide as well as for other events at Redwood High School and L.J. Williams Theatre.
Photo taken on Friday, March 23, 2018.(Photo: Ron Holman)

Single-A baseball season is almost here and Visalia Rawhide fans might have an easier time finding parking this year.

Recently, Visalia City Council approved purchasing three vacant downtown lots that will bring additional parking near Recreation Park and the west side of downtown Visalia.

The city will pay $309,679 for two lots located on the northwest corner of Dudley Street and Center Avenue, just south of the baseball field, and an additional property at Giddings Street and Oak Avenue, west of the park.

Much of the money used to buy the lots will come from the Downtown Parking District Fund. The rest will come from the general fund — $95,553.49.

Councilman Greg Collins, whose district includes Recreation Park, said he wants more parking in downtown Visalia, but questioned the move to use general funds.

Collins said there is a need for parking in downtown, but council should take a closer look at using taxpayer money.

“It needs to make sense financially,” he said. “There are a lot of needs. There are other needs that go unfunded. It’s a balancing act.”

However, Collins said parking is needed in that part of downtown — especially when multiple events are scheduled.

For instance, when there’s a Rawhide baseball game, a play at L. J. Williams Theater, and a function at the Redwood High School, parking is scarce.

Visalia council is expected to purchase three downtown properties to increase parking near Recreation Park.(Photo: Submitted, City of Visalia)

“When you get a lot of events, you get a problem,” he said.

Jennifer Reynolds, Visalia Rawhide general manager, said parking issues near the baseball park are not new and the baseball team is seeking partners to tackle it.

“We have been spearheading a "Downtown Sports District" concept for several years now, to encourage the various entities to work together — the parking shortage being a good example,” Reynolds said.

Councilman Steve Nelsen said the real estate purchase will address a need on the west part of downtown Visalia.

“It provides needed parking in that area,” he said. “It facilitates parking for events at Recreation Park. It eliminates the hassle of finding parking elsewhere.”

Collins agreed.

“As downtown grows, we are looking for the opportunity to provide additional uses,” he said. “It’s something we are on the lookout for.”

The lots just south of the park are expected to undergo development like the lots at the southeast corner of Center and Giddings.

When those lots are developed, all those seeking parking in the area will have a much easier time finding parking, Reynolds said.

“It will be nice for attendees of Rawhide, Recreation Park, and Redwood to have improved parking options,” she said.

This lot across Giddings Street from Recreation Park may be sold back to the city. The vacant property is expected to be improved to increase parking for the Rawhide as well as for other events at Redwood High School and L.J. Williams Theatre.
Photo taken on Friday, March 23, 2018.(Photo: Ron Holman)

Nelsen said approving the purchase would be a way for Visalia City Council to show support for businesses on the west end of downtown.

“It sends the message we are here to help,” he said.

However, funding parking is expensive. Collins said a single stall can cost between $6,000 and up to $20,000, if significant development is required.

A bustling, growing downtown comes with issues, though, Collins said.

“If you don’t have a parking problem, you have a bigger problem,” he said.

The real estate transaction approval is another sign the city and Visalia Rawhide have a good partnership.

“The Rawhide and city have built a wonderful working relationship over 17 years now —the longest in the seven-decade history of pro baseball in Visalia,” Nelsen said. “We have common goals in mind, and we work together to accomplish those goals.”

Council members agreed.

“Council has been supportive of minor league baseball,” Nelsen said. “This is just another step baseball, city and council are working together.”